Signal device



J. G. STEISS SIGNAL DEVICE Dec. 31, 1940.

Filed sept. 18, 19:59

vwemor J. @..Sreu' be Patented Dee. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to signal devices adapted for use on motor vehicles and more particularly to the type in which a rotatable sign or indicator carrying drum is employed and my object is to provide a device of this character which is simple, efficient, cheap to manufacture and yet rugged in construction.

I attain my object by securing the rotatable sign carrying drum to a rotatable spindle on which a core, common to two solenoids, is axially movable. The core is held from rotating and has a pin and helical groove connection with the spindle whereby an axial movement imparted to the core by one solenoid will cause the spindle and thus the drum to be turned in one direction of rotation to display one of the signs. When the core is axially moved by the other solenoid, the drum is turned in the opposite direction of rotation to display the other sign.

The constructions are hereinafter more fully described and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of my signal device;

Fig. 2 a cross section of the same on the line 2 2 in Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 a perspective view of the device having a complete casing adapted for connection with a suitable stationary part of the Vehicle. i

In the drawing like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different iigures.

I is a substantially cylindrical casing which may be formed of two parts one of which is a part 2 of a vehicle body having a substantially semicylindrical well I formed therein. The other part Ib is similarly shaped to form a cover having lugs 3 for securing it to the part 2. The cover 40 part Ib is provided with a display opening I".

Within the casing I is carried a non-rotatable sleeve 4 on which two solenoids 5 and 6 are disposed longitudinally thereof. The opposite ends of the sleeve carry bearings 1,8 in which a spindle 45 9 is journalled. The ends of the spindle project beyond the bearings and to these ends are secured the end spiders or caps I0 of a hollow drum II. The shell of the drum, which encloses the solenoids 5, 6, the sleeve 4 and a lamp bulb I5, may be made of opaque material having translucent indicators or other signalling indicia I2, I3. The latter are spaced apart circumferentially of the drum shell so that normally they are not visible through the display opening Ic. The space between the indicators I2 and I3 may bear advertising or other indicia. I4 which is normally in register with the display opening.

A core I6 common to both solenoids 5, B is axially movable on the spindle 9 and is held from rotation by means of a pin I7 projecting inwardly of the sleeve 4 and engaging a straight keyway or slot Il in the periphery of the core. Preferably the central portion 9 of the spindle, on which the core I6 is disposed, is larger in diameter than the journalled portions of the spindle and the enlarged portion 9 has a helical groove 9b formed in its periphery. A pin I8 carried by the core engages the helical groove 9b to eiect rotation of the spindle 9 and thus of the drum II so that the desired indicator I2 or I3 will be brought into register with the display opening Ic when the corresponding solenoid is energized. Normally the core I6 is positioned by light springsA I9 in its central position relative to the solenoids.

The sleeve 4 is formed of non-magnetic material and is supported by means of brackets secured to the opposite ends of the sleeve and to the casing I. The brackets extend through arcuate openings 2| in the end caps III of the drum II whereby the latter is free to rotate. Through one of the openings 2I are also passed lead wires 22 and 23 which connect the solenoid windings with terminals 24, 25 on the casing I. The other end of each winding is suitably grounded to a bracket 20 or a part connected therewith and thus to the frame of the vehicle. 'Ihe terminals are connected with the contacts of a two-point switch 26 having a movable contact connected with a battery 2l also grounded to the vehicle frame.

Either solenoid 5 or 6 may thus be energized to cause the core I 6 to be moved axially of the spindle 9 and effect its rotation to bring the desired indicator into register with the display opening. The lamp bulb I5 is provided with two filaments (not shown) one of which is connected with one lead wire 22 and the other is connected with the other lead wire 23 whereby the indicator is lighted by one of the filaments when the corresponding solenoid is energized.

I f desired, the casing may be formed of a cylindrical unit Id, as shown in Fig. 3, in which case it will be provided with arms 28 for securing it to a license plate carrier (not shown).

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A signal comprising a stationary casing having a display opening therein; a sleeve having bearings at its opposite ends; means for securing said sleeve in said casing; two solenoids disposed longitudinally on said sleeve; a rotatable spindle journalled iu said bearings and having its ends projecting therebeyond; a drum secured to the said projecting ends and having circumferentially spaced apart indicia, the drum being rotatable with the spindle .to bring either indicia into register with the display opening; a core common to said solenoids and disposed on said spindle for axial movement relative thereto, the core having a straight key-way in its periphery extending longitudinally thereof; a pin projecting inwardly of the sleeve and engaging the key-way to prevent rotation of the core; and a pin and helical groove connection between said core and spindle to effect rotation of the drum and registration oi' the desired indicia with the opening upon energization of a solenoid.

2. A signal comprising a stationary casing having a display opening therein; a rotatable drum in said casing having ends provided with openings; a stationary sleeve in said drum having bearings at its opposite ends; brackets secured to opposite ends of the sleeve and to the casing. the brackets extending through the openings in the ends of the drum; two solenoids disposed longitudinally on said sleeve; a spindle journalled in said bearings; means for securing the drum to the spindle, the drum having direction indicators circumferentially spaced apart adapted for registration with the display opening; a core common to said solenoids and disposed on said spindle for axial movement relative thereto, the core having a. straight key-way in its periphery extending longitudinally thereof; a pin projecting inwardly of the sleeve and engaging the key-way to prevent rotation of the core; and a pin and helical groove connection between said core and spindle to eiIect rotation of the drum and registration of the desired indicia with the opening upon energization of a solenoid. t

JOHN GORDON STEISS, 

